The State Department is recalling nearly 30 senior diplomats from their posts abroad as President Donald Trump moves to align embassies with his “America First” priorities, a dramatic reshuffling that has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and career foreign service officials who warn the move could undermine American credibility worldwide.
The recalls affect at least 29 countries, with Africa bearing the brunt of the removals. Ambassadors from 13 African countries are being pulled from their posts, including those serving in Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Somalia. Other regions affected include the Philippines and Egypt.
The American Foreign Service Association said multiple ambassadors appointed during the previous administration received phone calls ordering them to leave their posts by a January 15 or 16 departure deadline, with no explanation provided for the sudden removals.
Nikki Gamer said in an email that “abrupt, unexplained recalls reflect the same pattern of institutional sabotage and politicization our survey data shows is already harming morale, effectiveness, and US credibility abroad.”
A senior State Department official defended the recalls on December 23, 2025, calling them “a standard process in any administration.” The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said an ambassador should be considered a “personal representative” of the president and that Trump has the right to ensure he has individuals in these countries who advance his America First agenda.
The recalls mark a significant departure from traditional diplomatic practice. While ambassadors do serve at the pleasure of the president, the sudden removal of two dozen ambassadors from smaller countries where the top U.S. representative has traditionally been drawn from the apolitical Foreign Service represents an unusually broad sweep.
Jeanne Shaheen sharply criticized the recalls. “Trump is giving away US leadership to China and Russia by removing qualified career Ambassadors who serve faithfully no matter who’s in power,” Shaheen said, adding that the move “makes America less safe, less strong and less prosperous.”
The diplomatic shake-up comes as the State Department undergoes a broader restructuring under Trump’s leadership. The recalls are part of what administration officials describe as an effort to ensure all aspects of American foreign policy align with the president’s vision for putting American interests first in international affairs.
Those affected by the recalls are not losing their Foreign Service positions entirely but will be returning to Washington for other assignments should they choose to accept them. However, the sudden nature of the removals and the short deadline for departure have raised concerns among career diplomats about the future of nonpartisan foreign service.
The State Department declined to provide a complete list of the diplomats being recalled, but reports indicated that nearly 30 senior diplomats posted to various countries began receiving notice about their imminent departures last week.
The diplomatic recalls coincide with other major changes at the State Department announced earlier in the year. On July 10, 2025, the department revealed plans for mass layoffs affecting nearly 15% of its domestic workforce, with close to 1,800 people losing their positions in what officials described as the most significant restructuring of America’s diplomatic corps in decades.
Michael Rigas announced the layoffs in a memo stating the cuts would align the department’s mission with Trump’s America First vision.
The combination of ambassador recalls and workforce reductions represents a fundamental reshaping of how the United States conducts diplomacy abroad. Critics argue the moves will create dangerous vacancies at a time when American leadership is needed to counter growing influence from rival powers, particularly in Africa and other regions where China and Russia have been expanding their presence.
The American Foreign Service Association, which represents Foreign Service officers, has warned that the pattern of abrupt changes and politicization is already affecting the department’s effectiveness. The organization has expressed concern that experienced diplomats may choose to leave the service rather than face uncertain futures under an administration that appears to prioritize political loyalty over career expertise.
The State Department has maintained that the changes are necessary to ensure American foreign policy reflects the priorities of the current administration. Officials argue that having ambassadors who fully support the president’s agenda will lead to more effective diplomacy and better outcomes for American interests abroad.
The impact of the recalls on day-to-day embassy operations remains to be seen. In many cases, the sudden departure of ambassadors will leave embassies without their top diplomat during a transition period that could last months before replacements are nominated, confirmed by the Senate, and able to take up their posts.
